Since 2015, OTRU has been conducting an ongoing formative evaluation to assess the implementation and impact of the outdoor Smoke-Free Ontario Act smoking regulations. This report presents findings from data collected in 2016-2017 and includes a summary of public education effo

This update provides an overview of OTRU’s Knowledge and Evaluation Support initiative for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. We highlight two projects supported by this initiative: Evaluation of the Amended Toronto Smoke-free Bylaws, and the Love My Life Campaign, a youth engagement program

This infographic is based on the findings of a study by OTRU researchers that assessed air quality using multiple ambient air measures and a biomarker for exposure in both indoor and outdoor waterpipe cafes in Toronto, Canada. Zhang B, Haji F, Kaufman P, Muir S, Ferrence R. ‘Enter at

This update provides a brief overview of smoking prevalence and exposure to secondhand smoke in Ontario based on the findings of the recently released 2013 Canadian Community Health Survey. The last significant change in smoking prevalence was between 2008 and 2009 for the 12+

This newsletter is the third of a series from OTRU’s Evaluation Support Team outlining OTRU’s evaluation and research services for Ontario’s Public Health Units, Tobacco Control Area Networks, and other tobacco Transfer Payment Agencies. The newsletter also highlights current project

This update provides an overview of the issues surrounding exposure to outdoor smoking including the impacts of physical and social exposure, constituents of outdoor second hand smoke, potential harm to health, and impact on wildlife and the environment. Data from the 2012 CAMH

The main goal of this evaluation was to explore the implementation and impact of TFSR policies within the sport of hockey in four Ontario public health units (PHUs) and examine the barriers and facilitators in TFSR policy implementation. This report is intended to serve as a pr

This is the fourth in a series of reports about the formative evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA). The design of the formative evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act comprises four components that include a province-wide compliance survey of tobacco vendors and pu

There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. This Update outlines legislation to reduce or eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke in various locations in Ontario. Protection from secondhand smoke in Ontario is comparable to that of other Canadian jurisdictions, excep

This is the third in a series of reports about the formative evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA). The design of the formative evaluation includes three province-wide compliance surveys of randomly selected tobacco vendors and public places (restaurants and bars): on

This is the second in a series of reports about the formative evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA). The design of the formative evaluation includes three province-wide compliance surveys of randomly selected tobacco vendors and public places (restaurants and bars): o

This is the first in a series of reports about the formative evaluation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. The design of the formative evaluation includes three province-wide compliance surveys of randomly selected tobacco vendors and public places (restaurants and bars): one surve

It has been well established that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. Even brief exposure can trigger asthma attacks in children, and exposure can have immediate negative health impacts in adults including general respiratory and eye irritation, asthma symptoms

Over the past decade, many Canadian municipalities and some provinces have implemented smoke-free legislation to prohibit smoking in hospitality facilities to protect the public and workers from the harm caused by second-hand smoke. Yet, there is still concern in some quarters

About OTRU

The Ontario Tobacco Research Unit (OTRU) is a Canadian leader in tobacco control research, monitoring and evaluation, teaching and training, and is a respected source of science-based information on tobacco control. We also apply our skills to other areas of public health.